So much about NCAA Division III athletics isnít about winning the most championships or getting them the most post-season accolades.Itís about providing students of a college or university the best experience possible.Many will look at last weekís Hope College hire of Greg Mitchell to the menís basketball head coaching position and scratch their heads. Heís been a career high school basketball coach ó and not at a big program.Mitchell wasnít a hire to bring a national title to arguably the best menís basketball program without a championship. That undoubtedly would be a dream scenario, but†he was hired because, said Hope co-athletic director Tim Schoonveld, he was the best man for not just to coach the Flying Dutchmen, but to fit into the college.Itís a job thatís more than just coaching basketball, said long-time Hope coach Glenn Van Wieren."Youíre hiring a person beyond the scoreboard," Van Wieren said. "He gets coaching and teaching and relationships, family and he understands the game."Mitchell comes from Laingsburg High School where he was praised for bringing success to a small school. He led a team the Wolfpack to a runner-up finish at state in 2013.So thatís impressive. But if he can coach at the college ranks is yet to be seen.Being a basketball coach at a Division III college is more than just basketball. They are often professors, game managers for other sports, administrators†and play a role as ambassadors to alumni.A 1989 Hope gradaute, heís already a guy who loves Hope, too. While coaching his varsity basketball team during the winter, Mitchell†said he tried to go to a game or two games†every year since he graduated, and followed the team online by tracking stats frequently."He knows the hope family and all of that put together puts him as our man," Schoonveld said. "We couldnít be more excited for Greg and what he brings to the table."Whatís most important in this hire is Hope knows what itís getting with Mitchell. Itís very low-risk, and heís probably going to be able to recruit the right students who fit not just the basketball program, but the college, too.But will this result in competing for a national title? There will be a learning curve for Mitchell to adjust to the pace and stratagems in the college game.Heíll get a taste of that in his first game of the season in November when the Flying Dutchmen play defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater at DeVos Fieldhouse. But whether he wins or not, Hope got their ideal person for the job.ó Contact Assistant Sports Editor Michael Appelgate at michael.appelgate@hollandsentinel.com or (616) 546-4271. Follow him on Facebook at Holland Sentinel Sports and Twitter @mappelgate206.